The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has suspended Director of International Cricket, Usman Wahla, for delaying a formal protest over the behavior of the Indian team and match referee during the recent Asia Cup match.
According to sources, Wahla failed to promptly send a letter to the ICC regarding the controversial actions during the India-Pakistan match. The delay in filing an official complaint has led to serious internal backlash within the PCB. Officials believe his inaction compromised Pakistan’s stance at a critical time.
Chairman Mohsin Naqvi confirmed the disciplinary action and emphasized that the dignity and honor of Pakistan are non-negotiable. He added that the board would not tolerate any failure to protect the country’s sporting integrity. His remarks came as tensions continued to escalate after the match-day controversy.
The issue stems from the match referee, Andy Pycroft, allegedly instructing Pakistani captain Salman Agha not to shake hands at the toss. Reports suggest Pycroft also told Pakistan’s media manager that the moment should not be recorded. After the match, Indian players reportedly ignored post-match handshake norms, sparking criticism from both fans and officials.
Following this, PCB sent a strong letter to the ICC and MCC, citing breaches of the “Spirit of Cricket” and the ICC Code of Conduct. The letter stated that the referee’s conduct contradicted the core values of sportsmanship and called it a serious violation. PCB has demanded the immediate removal of the match referee or threatened to withdraw from the Asia Cup.